Vanda plant named ‘SPCDW1508’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Vanda  cultivar named ‘SPCDW1508’ which is characterized by sepals and petals with a white to light violet base color and a prominent dark violet irregular tessellation pattern, overlapping sepals and petals which twist in a propeller-like fashion, excellent plant vigor, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Vanda Jones ex R. Br.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Vanda disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘SPCDW1508’.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Community Plant Variety Rights application number 2015/1388, filed Jun. 19, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The Vanda variety ‘SPCDW1508’ is the result of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated as a seedling from the crossing of an unnamed Vanda seed parent (not patented) with an unnamed Vanda pollen parent (not patented). Both parents were developed by, and are owned by, the inventor and were never commercially released. The crossing was made by the inventor in his research greenhouse in Bangphra, Thailand in August of 1994.

The new variety was first selected in February of 2001, in a research greenhouse in Bangphra, Thailand belonging to the inventor. After identifying the new variety as a potentially interesting selection, the inventor continued confidential testing and propagation of ‘SPCDW1508’, assessing stability of the unique characteristics of this variety.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1508’, by way of mericloning, was first initiated in July of 2007 at a commercial laboratory belonging to the inventor in Bangphra, Thailand. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in a greenhouse not open to the public, and tissue culture plantlets were in a laboratory belonging to the inventor, and not accessible to the public. Through six subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SPCDW1508’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SPCDW1508’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SPCDW1508’ as a new and distinct Vanda cultivar:

-   -   1. Vanda ‘SPCDW1508’ exhibits sepals and petals with a white to         light violet base color; and     -   2. Vanda ‘SPCDW1508’ exhibits sepals and petals with a prominent         dark violet irregular tessellation pattern; and     -   3. Vanda ‘SPCDW1508’ exhibits overlapping sepals and petals         which twist in a propeller-like fashion; and     -   4. Vanda ‘SPCDW1508’ exhibits excellent plant vigor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of ‘SPCDW1508’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 6 years old from the time of mericloning, shown planted in an 8 by 8 cm container.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage of ‘SPCDW1508’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical inflorescence and flower of ‘SPCDW1508’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements made in April of 2016 describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of six year-old ‘SPCDW1508’ plants grown in a greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. Temperatures were approximately 23 degrees Celsius during the day and 19 degrees Celsius at night. No photoperiodic or chemical treatments were given to the plants. No artificial light was given to the plants.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘SPCDW1508’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘SPCDW1508’ and comparisons with other varieties of Vanda are provided below.

-   Plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial; monopodial, upright. Single             monopodial leafy stem, with flowers carried above the leaf             plane, inflorescences grow from the leaf axils.         -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so             no soil line present) to foliar plane.—34.5 cm.         -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so             no soil line present) to top of floral plane.—56.7 cm.         -   Plant spread.—Average of 33.7 cm.         -   Appropriate container size.—8 cm by 8 cm rectangular hanging             basket.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate.         -   Plant vigor.—Moderate.         -   Propagation type.—Tissue culture propagation using the base             of the leaves.         -   Propagation details.—The time needed from for the start of a             mericlone to get the small plants ready for deflasking is             approximately 24 months under a controlled temperature of             about 26 degrees Celsius. After that period, plants have             matured roots. Plants start to make roots in the last 6             months in flasks. After deflasking they remain in a shaded             and controlled environment.         -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Similar to             other Vanda varieties.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 11             and 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius; high             tolerance to rain; moderate to high tolerance to wind. -   Root system:     -   -   General.—Densely rooting; with aerial roots only.         -   Dimensions, mature roots.—57.2 cm long with a diameter of             0.5 cm, on average.         -   Texture.—Very fleshy; non-fibrous.         -   Color.—Greyed-Green, near RHS 192B to 192C; root apex is             yellow-green, RHS 147B to 147C. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching habit.—Monopodial; no lateral branches present.         -   Number of primary (main) stems per plant.—One.         -   Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant.—None.         -   Appearance and shape.—Circular, formed by the leaf sheaths.         -   Length.—18.4 cm.         -   Diameter.—1.1 cm.         -   Internode length.—1.2 cm.         -   Luster.—Matte.         -   Aspect.—Near vertical.         -   Strength.—Very strong.         -   Color, juvenile.—Yellow-green, near RHS 150D.         -   Color, mature.—Yellow-green, near RHS 150D.         -   Color at internodes.—Greyed-orange, near RHS164B to 164C.         -   Pubescence.—Glabrous. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Distichous.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 30 leaves per plant.         -   Dimensions.—22.2 cm long and 3.1 cm wide, on average.         -   Shape of blade.—Ligulate; moderately to strongly carinate.         -   Aspect.—Slightly curved.         -   Apex.—Unequal praemorse.         -   Base.—Sheathing.         -   Sheath dimensions.—3.2 cm long and 1.4 cm wide, on average.         -   Sheath color.—Yellow-green, near RHS 150D.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of adaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and slightly glossy.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of abaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and matte.         -   Color.—Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Yellow-green,             near RHS 144A, and green towards the margins, near RHS 143A.             Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface — Green, near RHS 143A.             Mature foliage, adaxial surface — Green, near RHS 137B.             Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Green, near RHS 137B.         -   Venation.—Parallel.         -   Venation color, adaxial surface.—Green, near RHS 137B.         -   Venation color, abaxial surface.—Green, near RHS 137B.         -   Petiole.—No petioles present; leaves sessile. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Axially placed raceme.         -   Natural flowering season.—Autumn into winter.         -   Time to flower.—Approximately 10 months.         -   Flowers per inflorescence.—Average of 10; 7 open flowers and             3 buds.         -   Inflorescence height.—Approximately 21.6 cm (measured from             base of lowest flower to top of upper flower).         -   Inflorescence diameter.—Approximately 21.5 cm.         -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — Approximately 41.9 cm long and 0.6 cm             wide. Aspect — Generally at a 15 degree angle to lateral             branch axis. Strength — Moderately strong. Texture and             luster — Glabrous and moderately glossy. Color —             Yellow-green, RHS 144A. -   Bud:     -   -   Length.—Average of 1.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average horizontal diameter is 1.5 cm; the             vertical diameter is 2.1 cm.         -   Shape.—Cubic, with a deltoid apex which is pointed downward.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster.—Glabrous, smooth and matte.         -   Color.—Greyed-purple, in between near RHS 85B and N187B; the             apex is tinged violet, RHS 83B. -   Flower:     -   -   Flower type.—Zygomorphic (orchidaceous), typical shape for             the genus Vanda.         -   Flowering habit.—Moderate.         -   Shape.—Zygomorphic, single; consisting of three sepals and             three petals, one of which is transformed into a labellum.         -   Aspect.—Flowers are outward-facing to slightly nodding.         -   Vertical height.—Approximately 11.8 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 11.2 cm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 4.5 cm.         -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.         -   Lastingness.—3 weeks, on average.         -   Persistent.—Self-cleaning.         -   Petals.—Quantity of Petals — Three unfused petals; two             conventional petals and one labellum. Arrangement — One             lateral petal on each side. Length — Approximately 5.5 cm.             Width — Approximately 5.0 cm. Shape — Broad ovate to near             orbicular. Apex — Obtuse. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire;             moderately undulated. Pubescence, texture and luster of             upper surface — Glabrous, velvety and matte. Pubescence,             texture and luster of lower surface — Glabrous, velvety and             matte. Color when opening, upper surface — White, near RHS             N155A, and fading to violet towards the apex and margins,             near RHS N88C. Color when opening, lower surface — White,             near RHS N155A, and fading to violet towards the apex and             margins, near RHS N88C. Color when fully opened, upper             surface — White, near RHS N155C, and fading to violet             towards the apex and margins, near RHS N88D. Color when             fully opened, lower surface — White, near RHS N155A, and             fading to violet towards the apex and margins, near RHS             N88D. Fading, upper surface — Not fading. Fading, lower             surface — Not fading. Venation — Densely reticulate.             Venation color, fully opened, upper surface — Violet, near             RHS N88A to N88B. Venation color, fully opened, lower             surface — Violet, near RHS N88A to N88B.         -   Labellum.—Shape — Three-lobed, lateral lobes are ovate and             involute; central lobe is oblong and strongly revolute.             Length — Central lobe — Approximately 2.4 cm. Lateral lobes             — Approximately 1.0 cm. Width — Central lobe — Approximately             1.2 cm. Lateral lobes — Approximately 0.7 cm. Apex, central             lobe — Straight to irregular. Apex, lateral lobes — Obtuse.             Base, central and lateral lobes — Cuneate. Margin, central             lobe — Irregular; slightly undulated. Margin, lateral lobes             — Entire; not undulate. Texture and luster of upper surface             — Central lobe — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Lateral lobes             — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Texture and luster of lower             surface — Central lobe — Glabrous, velvety, and very             slightly glossy. Lateral lobes — Glabrous, velvety, and             matte. Color when opening, upper surface — Central lobe —             Violet-blue, near RHS N92D. Lateral lobes — Purple, near RHS             77A, and purple-violet, near RHS N82A; base tinged yellow,             near 13A. Color when opening, lower surface — Central lobe —             Violet-blue, near RHS N92D, and fading to violet towards the             base, near RHS N87C. Lateral lobes — Violet, near RHS N87D.             Color when fully opened, upper surface — Central lobe —             Violet-blue, near RHS N92D, and fading to violet, near RHS             N88A, and violet-blue, near RHS 90A, towards the base.             Lateral lobes — Purple, near RHS 77A, and purple-violet,             near RHS N82A; base tinged yellow, near 13A. Color when             fully opened, lower surface — Central lobe — Violet-blue,             near RHS N89A, and fading to violet towards the base, near             RHS N88C to N88D. Lateral lobes — Violet, near RHS N88B, and             fading lighter towards the apex, near RHS N88D. Fading,             upper surface — Not fading. Fading, lower surface — Not             fading. Venation — No veins visible. Venation color, fully             opened, upper surface — Central lobe — No veins visible.             Lateral lobes — No veins visible. Venation color, fully             opened, lower surface — Central lobe — No veins visible.             Lateral lobes — No veins visible.         -   Callosities.—Dimensions — 1.9 cm long and 0.7 cm wide, on             average. Color — Violet-blue, near RHS N89A, and fading to             violet towards the base, near RHS 85C.         -   Spurs.—Quantity — Average of 1. Length — Approximately             1.0 cm. Diameter — Approximately 0.4 cm. Vertical height —             Approximately 0.7 cm, at the base. Shape — Short triangular.             Apex — Bluntly acute. Base — Broad Cuneate. Pubescence,             texture and luster — Glabrous, smooth, and matte. Color —             Violet, near RHS 85D, and striped darker, near RHS 85A.         -   Sepals.—Quantity — Average of 3 unfused sepals. Arrangement             — One dorsal sepal and two lateral sepals. Length — Dorsal             sepal — Approximately 5.8 cm. Lateral sepals — Approximately             6.5 cm. Width — Dorsal sepal — Approximately 5.0 cm. Lateral             sepals — Approximately 6.2 cm. Shape — Dorsal sepal — Broad             ovate to near broad oblong. Lateral sepals — Broad ovate.             Apex, dorsal and lateral sepals — Obtuse. Base, dorsal and             lateral sepals — Cuneate. Margin, dorsal and lateral sepals             — Entire; all sepals are slightly coarsely undulated.             Pubescence, texture and luster — Glabrous, velvety, and             matte on both the upper and lower sepal surfaces. Color when             opening, upper surface — Dorsal sepal — Violet, near RHS             N85D, and fading darker towards the apex and margins, near             RHS N88C. Lateral sepals — Violet, near RHS N85D, and fading             darker towards the apex and margins, near RHS N88C. Color             when opening, lower surface — Dorsal sepal — Violet, near             RHS N88D yet lighter, and fading darker towards the apex and             margins, near RHS N88C. Lateral sepals — Violet, near RHS             N88D yet lighter, and fading darker towards the apex and             margins, near RHS N88C. Color when fully opened, upper             surface — Dorsal sepal — White, near RHS NN155C, and fading             to violet towards the margins and the apex, near RHS N88C to             N88D. Lateral sepals — White, near RHS NN155D, and fading to             violet towards the margins and the apex, near RHS N88C to             N88D. Color when fully opened, lower surface — Dorsal sepal             — White, near RHS NN155C, and fading to violet towards the             margins and the apex, near RHS N88C to N88D. Lateral sepals             — White, near RHS NN155C, and fading to violet towards the             margins and the apex, near RHS N88C to N88D. Fading, upper             surface — The color of all sepals does not fade. Fading,             lower surface — The color of all sepals does not fade.             Venation — Densely reticulate. Venation color, fully opened,             upper surface — Violet, near RHS N88A to N88B. Venation             color, fully opened, lower surface — Violet, near RHS N88B.         -   Pedicels.—Length — Approximately 6.3 cm. Diameter —             Approximately 0.5 cm. Angle — Approximately 80 degree angle             to peduncle axis. Strength — Moderate. Texture — Glabrous,             axially angled with 5 “ribs”, axially twisted (due to             resupination). Luster — Glossy. Color — Purple, near RHS             85A, and fading to purple-violet towards the proximal end,             near RHS N81B.         -   Bract.—Quantity — One bract present at the base of each             pedicel. Shape — Broad ovate; folded around the base of each             pedicel. Dimensions — Average of 1.2 cm long and 1.1 cm             wide. Apex — Broad acute. Base — Broad cuneate. Margins —             Entire. Color, both surfaces — Yellow-green, near RHS 144C. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length — Approximately 0.6 cm. Diameter —             Approximately 0.8 cm. Color — Purple, RHS 76B and 76C.         -   Ovary.—Position — Inferior. Diameter — Approximately 1.1 cm.             Color — Yellow-green, RHS 150D.         -   Pollinia color.—Yellow-orange, RHS 15A. -   Seed and fruit: No fruit and seed production has been detected to     date.

COMPARISON WITH THE PARENT PLANTS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1508’ differ from the unnamed Vanda seed parent (not patented) by the characteristics described in Chart 1.

CHART 1 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1508’ Unnamed seed parent Color pattern Dense irregular tessellation Light irregular tessellation on the pattern; pattern is generally pattern; pattern is petals and colored violet. generally colored violet- sepals. blue. Inflorescence. Racemes are longer than Racemes are shorter than those of the seed parent, those of ‘SPCDW1508’, with fewer flowers. with more flowers. Flower size. Larger flowers than seed Smaller flowers than parent. ‘SPCDW1508’. Plant vigor. More vigorous and faster Less vigorous and slower growing than the seed growing than parent. ‘SPCDW1508’. Length of Leaves are longer than Leaves are shorter than foliage. those of seed parent. those of ‘SPCDW1508’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1508’ differ from the unnamed Vanda pollen parent (not patented) by the characteristics described in Chart 2.

CHART 2 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1508’ Unnamed pollen parent Color pattern More prominent tessellation Light tessellation pattern; on the petals pattern; pattern is generally pattern is generally and sepals. colored violet. colored violet-blue. Inflorescence. Racemes are longer than Racemes are shorter than those of the pollen parent, those of ‘SPCDW1508’, with more flowers. with fewer flowers. Plant vigor. More vigorous and faster Less vigorous and slower growing than the pollen growing than parent. ‘SPCDW1508’.

COMPARISON WITH THE MOST SIMILAR VANDA CULTIVAR KNOWN TO THE INVENTOR

Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1508’ are most similar to the cultivar, Vanda ‘SPCDW1110’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,988). A comparison of ‘SPCDW1508’ with Vanda ‘SPCDW1110’ is described in Chart 3.

CHART 3 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1508’ ‘SPCDW1110’ Petal and Somewhat twisted or Flat. sepal aspect. spiraled in a propeller- like fashion. Flower Petal Higher degree of sepal Lesser degree of sepal Arrangement overlap compared to overlap compared to ‘SPCDW1110’. ‘SPCDW1508’. Dorsal sepal Much less incurved Much more incurved cross-section. than ‘SPCDW1110’. than ‘SPCDW1508’. Dorsal sepal Less rounded than More rounded than apex. ‘SPCDW1110’. ‘SPCDW1508’. Color pattern on Less prominent More prominent tessellation the petals and tessellation pattern; pattern; pattern is generally sepals. pattern is generally colored violet-blue. colored violet. Labellum width. Wider than Narrower than ‘SPCDW1110’. ‘SPCDW1508’. Labellum, lateral Larger than Smaller than lobe dimensions. ‘SPCDW1110’. ‘SPCDW1508’. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Vanda plant named ‘SPCDW1508’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 